French bosses in regulations demo

In France, workers aren’t the only ones who take to the streets to protest – their bosses do too.

Several thousand French business owners, particularly from small companies, demonstrated in Paris to plead with the government to simplify regulations and make it easier and cheaper to hire.

Protester Jean-Pierre Hutin, a hotel owner, urged more flexibility for part-time work, while others complained that layers of taxes and labour rules have made it impossible for France to compete globally.

They argued that the government needs business owners to hire. Socialist president Francois Hollande has sought to loosen labour laws but critics say it doesn’t go nearly far enough.

French unemployment is at around 10% and economic growth has stagnated, threatening to push the whole eurozone back into recession.